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"I saw it for myself, Jen. When have I ever lied to you?"
"I dunno. You kind of did when it came to that chemistry teacher last year."
Hanabi sighed to herself as the other two did the whole song and dance again. Asuka would say something that'll eventually leak out to the rumor mill while Jen would play the skeptic despite also being curious. Honestly, she felt really sorry for Kinukawa and Douryou. Nobody deserves to have their dirty laundry aired out, no matter how speculative the source. But once her best friends start going, there's really no avoiding the situation. At least the three of them were talking about it in a cute café near the dorms rather than at school, where the rumor targets are bound to overhear them.
"It was just a fib. How was I supposed to know she was watching that pet spider for a friend?" Asuka stirred her café au lait in a huff.
Jen shook her head, "And this is why we need evidence. Come on, a gay teacher? That's a new low even from you."
"I do have evidence, but it's not like I carry a recorder everywhere."
"Mhm, sure. That's all it is."
"Honest, I saw the date happening with my own two eyes and heard everything from their mouths," Asuka took a sip of her drink before looking at Hanabi, "You believe me, right?"
"Well, I think there's some truth to it."
"See, Jen? Hana believes in me."
"Okay, but Hana always gives you the benefit of the doubt. What grown man would bring his high school daughter to another high school he's subbing for?"
"I said 'potential daughter', don't get my words twisted."
Should she tune out at this point? Considering they'll be bickering back and forth like this for a while, she decided that it was the best time to look back at what Asuka said.
Mr.Yashiki was apparently gay and the reason why he left was because he felt uncomfortable with the advances of both President Douryou and Vice President Kinukawa. The fact that almost every student thought he was a pedophile probably didn't help. She remembered how prickly one delinquent girl reacted when Asuka brought it up in-between classes, which only fueled her suspicions further.
He brought his high school daughter or niece along on some days after school, probably worried she'll be alone at home because she doesn't have friends her age. He has a younger partner ('Not by much,' supplied Asuka, 'He's probably in his mid-thirties') by the name of Satoru and they're 'sickeningly in love' despite the 'obvious class difference' according to Asuka. Anything else her friend tacked on felt really subjective to borderline slander on her schoolmates' part. It went back and forth from cursing out the former headmaster to praising him.
What's rather interesting is that Asuka was adamant that there's no way both Mr.Yashiki and this mysterious Satoru were anything but in love. Usually, she would've added anecdotes about cheating or dating out of boredom, but she's really sure that this specific couple was genuine if not a bit odd and devient in nature.
A rare thought from her considering how much she complained about other couples.
"Okay, but if Mr.Yashiki was genuinely gay, is it even alright for us to be talking about this? He's not staff anymore, so it feels a bit wrong."
"Jen, he's the most exciting thing after that Departed crap. Let me have this please."
The two stare off for a moment before Jen sighed, "Okay, we can speculate our former teacher's love life. But only if you cut back on the Student Council slander. I'm not eager to give anyone else ammunition against them."
"Boo, you're boring."
For a moment, Hanabi wondered if she should point out that Jen was staring at Kinukawa for longer than should be considered normal. But then it would escalate to Asuka defending Jen's 'weird tendencies' while remaining oblivious to the way she looked when doing so. Added to the fact that Asuka was strongly agreeable about Mr.Yashiki's relationship despite the 'taboo nature', Hanabi couldn't help but wonder if this was deeply rooted in something else.
She kept her observations to herself, this is why she has her friends do all the talking.
"I'm heading to the cake display," Hanabi stood up from her seat, "Do you guys want to come?"
Asuka sighed again, "I would, but mother is making me cut back on sugar. Said it'll ruin my figure. I swear, if she could cut coffee out of my life, she would. Absolute hypocrite."
"Nah, I'm still waiting on my katsu sandwiches. It'll be here soon."
With a nod, she left the two to their squabbles.
The café was modern but comfortable, giving off a warm and home-like feel despite how cold the color scheme is. Big windows and sunshine, alongside the curling plants inside as well as the garden outside made it feel welcoming. The cake display held all kinds of goods like chocolate tarts and berry cakes that were artful as well as delicious.
Though her eyes were on the cake display, a familiar voice came from the table near it.
"-nd Mashita?"
A quick glance to the side revealed that both Dr.Daimon and Mr.Yashiki. Thinking back on it now, them being friends would make sense considering that Mr.Yashiki was usually seen in the clinic after hours.
She kept her eyes on the numerous cakes, but decided to tune in on them.
"He hated the place and couldn't stop complaining about how stuffy it all was. At least he enjoyed the food, otherwise he would've started cursing up a storm."
"You say that, yet here you are with such a big smile."
"I'm just glad we had any time together at all. Last month was so hectic, I didn't expect him to drop by so soon after that big case."
"If that man is anything, it's tenacious."
"The word you're looking for is stubborn, Daimon."
"I thought since you're his partner, it would be wise to leave the insults to you. You said it, not me."
"Well, if he were here, he would tell you to keep your flattery to yourself."
"My, my, now you're speaking on his behalf. How terribly domestic of you, Yashiki."
"What's domestic is the fact he stole all the covers last night. I didn't think that was an actual thing until he moved in."
Hanabi decided that Asuka was one hundred percent right at that moment. This kind of conversation reeked of familiarity and a deep relationship. She felt bad for eavesdropping, so she tried to ignore it in favor of picking out a cake.
"It's a shame we can't talk like this all the time, Yashiki. Perhaps you could try applying for a more permanent position? It would be nice to have a familiar face."
The two let a moment pass before a sigh, "Good joke, Daimon. I'm pretty sure everybody in that school hates me," Hanabi tried and failed to ignore the sheer exhaustion in his tone," Ms.Sakamoto and that dorm manager were this close to shoving me into a trash compactor because of how bad the rumors got."
"Sorry, it was in poor taste considering how you left. If it's any consolation, the few students who truly know you still ask about your well-being."
Ms.Sakamoto was known to be highly traditional. It would be easy to come to the conclusion that she wouldn't be accepting of a man being interested in other men. The fact that the public perception of people like Mr.Yashiki were seen as perverted, it wouldn't be a stretch to feel like her students wouldn't be safe from him. It could be worse considering she would think that he would pursue students of all genders. Add the fact that two students genuinely had a crush on him and tried to get closer despite his refusal was like adding fuel to the fire.
Such thoughts made her quesy. Imagine being shunned for your preferences and being made out as a monster.
Poor Jen- Wait, why did she even go through with that train of thought? She should be thinking about cakes right now. How about lemon cake? No, lemon would be horrible with her drink.
"Please tell me it's not the girls," There was a certain strain to Mr.Yashiki's voice, like merely mentioning them was a bad omen, "I mean, they aren't bad, but seeing them so soon after turning them down isn't healthy for either me or them. Not when they're getting over it."
"It's not just them. Abe and Maruhashi are pestering me as well. Although it's odd to see Maruhashi come to the clinic for non-injury reasons."
"Figures. I thought they would be going to the mansion at this point."
"They said something about how 'if the spirits say so, they'll go.' I'm pretty sure both of them are too shy to approach, considering one idolizes Yasuoka and the other is too eccentric."
Yes, a moist chocolate cake would pair better with her drink.
"Well, even if four students want me to come back, I'm pretty sure somebody like me isn't welcome. Top it off with the fact that I almost lost everyone I care about in that school, heading back there is the last thing I want to do. Especially since you got sick half way and I almost thought that Satoru…"
His assistants…they were probably related to him. An eclectic group of seemingly random people wouldn't make sense otherwise. If she were to believe Asuka, that would mean his family were trying to support him by tagging along. Was this their way of supporting a gay family member? By making sure he wasn't alone?
"No need to justify yourself, Yashiki. It was a suggestion made in an unfortunate jest. Though, if one good thing had to come out of it, at least it gave both you and Mashita a chance to make things official."
Official? Like together officially or- No, she decided that she's trying not to listen. The matcha strawberry roll looked pretty cute.
"Yeah, I'm almost as surprised as you were. We initially wanted to keep things slow, but I guess getting proposed to twice really set him off."
Oh…Mr.Yashiki was getting married. His relationship was almost ruined because of the school administration and the rumors.
"You really attract the most unfortunate type of suitors. Current partner not included."
"Thanks, I'll be sure to tell him he has your stamp of approval."
The conversation tapered off, finally allowing Hanabi to actually think about what cake she could get. How about a mousse cake instead of a moist cake. That would feel so velve-
A short cough brought her back to the two men near her. Oh, so the pause was just to give Dr.Daimon a chance to breathe.
"I am happy you two have each other. You need somebody who can grant you both independence and care at the same time. Honestly, if I didn't see how taken he was with you firsthand, I might've tried something myself."
"D-daimon?!!" Even without looking, Hanabi can tell Mr.Yashiki was flustered.
"I'm kidding. My profession is my main priority. Even then, I doubt my heart can take the kind of work you do on a daily basis. Occasionally is enough for me."
"Thank you for the reassurance, but now I'm unsettled enough for a second slice of cake."
"As your friend and a doctor, I should warn you that the amount of sugar you consume would be enough to put somebody in a coma," This warning from Dr.Daimon was supposed to come off as teasing, but Hanabi wouldn't be able to tell if not for the fact Jen can be the same way.
It worked, seeing as Mr.Yashiki sounded happier, "And as your friend, I will also remind you that you have a chronic illness and should rest more."
"Heh," A rare laugh from Dr.Daimon, "If Mashita was here, he would call us both unhealthy idiots."
"As his partner, I can confirm he would do exactly that before leaving for a smoke break."
"Such hypocrisy…"
"Mhm, but he's my hypocrite."
That's pretty sweet… Wait, that meant Mr.Yashiki was coming here. Hanabi quickly decided on her order. She felt the way the employee at the counter was looking at her, probably waiting while she was looking at her for the past five minutes.
"Um, I guess…" Her eyes darted from sweet to sweet until a promising cake full of assorted berries and white cream caught her eye. She felt Mr.Yashiki falling in line behind her. Hanabi really hoped he didn't notice her listening as she finally chose her order, "I'll take the Berry and Cream cake."
The employee just nodded as she was given her slice.
Hanabi took it gently and passed by Mr.Yashiki, who didn't show any signs of recognition nor suspicion.
"I'll take the classic Opera Cake," Huh, that was one of the selections. It seemed like something Asuka would order. Guess she was right about his sort of rich taste, at least in the sweets category.
She should try that next time.
Hanabj went back to her friends. Asuka was finished with her own drink, but Jen was only halfway through her meal. The former moved on to other gossip, which was to be expected.
Hanabi could choose to let Asuka forget about Mr.Yashiki, about who he really is. She'd move on to shinier things and Jen never really remembered this stuff. Yet the defeated way Mr.Yashiki sounded while talking about their school. One would think that he was talking about hell rather than a temporary position. The students still talk about it from time to time, about poor Douryou and Kinukawa who had their innocence stolen.
Stolen by a rotten man who got away with it.
But from that five minute conversation alone, she could tell he wasn't like that. That he was the furthest thing from a predator.
Plus, Douryou and Kinukawa still want to hang out with him despite having no reason to. If anything, it sounded like they want closure. Or that they're still holding pit for him, but the part Asuka said about their feelings going away sounded more final than hopeful.
If she could set the record straight, it would make her feel less bad about listening in. Not to mention it's kind of lame picking on a guy who's already seen as a plague to society.
"Hey, you took awhile to come back," Jen muffled behind her sandwich.
Sighing, Hanabi sat down and looked at Asuka. She chose her path, all she had to do was speak.
"I think I got some interesting details to add to your rumor."